SHITE VOID: Autobianchi and Tatra- none in the UK.

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

...at least according to howmanyleft.

 

So, who is going to heed the call of shite duty?

[garethj]

I’ve owned two Tatras, both are still running. I know there’s another a few miles away, a friend in Oxfordshire, another has two and I’m sure there are over 50 here.

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

I found it surprising, too...maybe that site isn't all that reliable...

[ashmicro]

I've said it before, the information on that website is cobblers. There's an Autobianchi A112 on Northern Ireland plates parked near Queen's Uni.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

SEAT malaga is seemingly extinct. TURMOIL

[andrew e]

Hey I'm on that now Boll' !!! I had a post ready and everything! Have a look at Ibiza 1.2, Ibiza 1.5 for the system Porsche numbers too.

[flat4alfa]

What's this little lot then.

 

http://www.tatra-register.co.uk/

 

http://www.a112.co.uk/autobianchi_a112_uk_cars.html

[Guest Len H]

I've said it before, the information on that website is cobblers. There's an Autobianchi A112 on Northern Ireland plates parked near Queen's Uni.

 

I might be wrong, but I don't think DVLNI data counts as it's drawn from the DVLA database.

That website is superb, I don't know why people keep knocking it for odd and usually easily explained holes in the data.

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

I'm not necessarily knocking it, but how does one explain the Tatra situation?

[Guest Len H]

If the model on the V5 doesn't show up here, your car will be counted under a 'Missing' model name. This tends to happen mostly to:

 

Imported cars that don't have a UK-equivalent model

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

Cheers for that...Unlike with 'bianchis, I hadn't realised that Tatras had never officially made it here...

[messerschmitt owner]

messerschmitts, isettas, heinkels, nobels, powedrives, peels, etc are all extinct and despite seeing a Zundapp Janus today, they're extinct too - however there are 50,000 indeterminate British vehicles of no make or model - go figure - only the stuff from the computerized DVLA age is accurate-ish!

[garethj]

Cheers for that...Unlike with 'bianchis, I hadn't realised that Tatras had never officially made it here...

The 613 was homologated for the UK in about 1993, the RHD cars for the UK market are all still here.

[Pete-M]

Cheers for that...Unlike with 'bianchis, I hadn't realised that Tatras had never officially made it here...

The 613 was homologated for the UK in about 1993, the RHD cars for the UK market are all still here.

 

I think the 613 sold in such limited numbers it would be classed in a similar way to a kit car within the DOOOVLA. How many did they sell? 25? 30? I'm pretty sure they did less than 50.

[garethj]

I think the 613 sold in such limited numbers it would be classed in a similar way to a kit car within the DOOOVLA. How many did they sell? 25? 30? I'm pretty sure they did less than 50.

All together?

 

All added up in total?

 

Three

[Pete-M]

I think the 613 sold in such limited numbers it would be classed in a similar way to a kit car within the DOOOVLA. How many did they sell? 25? 30? I'm pretty sure they did less than 50.

All together?

 

All added up in total?

 

Three

 

Bloody hell. I know the bits are pretty sought after by the Czechs, but didn't realise they'd only actually got rid of three!

 

Then again, Czechs find it hard to believe we got the Rapid Convertible and they didn't.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Three eh? That Tim Bishop must be some character, I believe his Connaught project almost got somewhere near those heady figures too. MY KINDA GUY

[garethj]

Hang on, I'm doing them a disservice here.

 

It was four

 

Although one of them might have died in an unscheduled crash test with a Ford Scorpio, wiping the Dagenham Dustbin out completely and putting its driver in hospital for several months. The Tatra driver had barely a scratch, he was more at risk from carbon monoxide poisoning from the petrol heater

[Vin]

/\/\

 

Cheers for that...Unlike with 'bianchis, I hadn't realised that Tatras had never officially made it here...

 

Hmmm. I don't think 'bianchis ever officially made it here either...

[barrett]

Three eh? That Tim Bishop must be some character, I believe his Connaught project almost got somewhere near those heady figures too. MY KINDA GUY

 

Aye, always thought he was more of an enthusiast than a businessman, though to be fair he must've done pretty well for himself with his main business (exhausts, was it?) to be able to sink a load of cash into the Tatra venture.

 

Seems like 'our' sort of chap, big rotary NSU fan along with the Tatras and I'm sure his Barkas was the first I was aware of in the UK. I would say he should join up here but I'm not sure what liking and driving shite old motors actually has to do with this place half the time.

[RoadworkUK]

When the 613/4 was driven in Top Gear mag I fell in love with it. The Bristol-on-drugs styling, the air-cooled V8 (in the back) and the plush looking interior.

 

And Mr Bishop came over as a very passionate and determined chap, but a softly spoken, fairly charming character, too. The sort who's eyes light up when you mention Hans Ledwinka. He also correctly mentioned that a heavy gearknob is key to a good gearshift.

[Guest]

SEAT malaga is seemingly extinct. TURMOIL

Can't be right, there's one turns up around the corner from me every few weeks with a weird three-tone paintjob.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Is it on UK numberplates?

[Dead_E23]

Here's one I spotted earlier - a T613 last Sunday:

[garethj]

Here's one I spotted earlier - a T613 last Sunday:

That's a T613/3, they were never imported here officially. But Fullbore Motors, that other purveyor of fine shite like the Hindustan Ambassador did try and bring some T613/3s in, they were built as an order for the Korean government which was later cancelled. I'm pretty sure none were ever sold. Most 613s were imported privately.

 

There's quite a difference between the 613/3 and 613/5 that Tim Bishop did. The /3 cars are full of eastern bloc charm with Skoda switches, high profile tyres and migraine-inducing fabrics. They also had 2 twin carbs on the engine, which made about 165bhp and a four speed gearbox.

 

the /5 cars had the full moo, tree and wind interior, sequential fuel injection which learned your driving style and made 200bhp. With foot to the floor and revs approaching maximum, it then disconnected drive to the fan boosting power to 220bhp. It also had a 5 speed gearbox and lots of changes to the suspension, although it kept the McPherson struts at the front and semi trailing arms at the back. Power steering was fitted too, I think it was the NSU Ro80 rack from ZF.

 

In between the /3 and /5 was, gwan, you'll never guess, the /4. I had one of these and it uses the injection system of the /5, a dog-leg 5 speed box and an interior a lot more eastern europe than western.

[messerschmitt owner]

Tom bishop is a true enthusiast. He has a passion for two stroke cars. I've spoken to him a few times and he is based not far from me. I also know his pa, whose hubby owns the zundapp Janus mentioned above.

[gricer]

A lot of old brands that were only quasi-officially imported are lumped into categories like OTHER ITALIIAN or OTHR FRENCH.

 

That's why there are no Panhards, for example - though I guess they account for most of the 'Other French' from the early 60s.

 

There's also the 'Missing' sections for each manufacturer, where poor data entry means sundry cars' models aren't known - the handful of Malagas that survive are probably under "Seat Missing"

 

Howmanyleft is a wonderful resource but it's not complete...

[garethj]

Tom bishop is a true enthusiast. He has a passion for two stroke cars. I've spoken to him a few times and he is based not far from me. I also know his pa, whose hubby owns the zundapp Janus mentioned above.

Is that Tim Bishop's brother?

 

Good point about Panhards, some were officially imported to the UK, I've got some road tests from the late '50s and early '60s.

[messerschmitt owner]

I meant tim. you should try this on a phone.

 

My messerschmitt is classed as other British.